After setting up a trail camera and taking note of movements over time on a calendar I was able to predict an area I thought I’d locate this stag. The weekend was proving difficult with weather conditions but my certainty that I knew this guys movements was enough to drag myself and a mate out of bed at 5am. Getting out to our location just before light we start our walk in very low light. We carefully started our stalk, looking for body outlines and stopping to listen for movements as the sun started to rise. We headed down a spur line with the wind in our face, tracking towards an opening we knew was out of the weather and a place we would most likely locate the deer. After 25 minutes of slowly negotiatiate scrub and minimising our noise we located the area. Upon arriving we saw nothing. We were disheartened but decided to sit there for a few minutes whilst we discussed where we could head next. As we were talking a doe appeared in the corner of the opening. We then sat and glassed the scrub behind. And what do you know, after identifying legs and the turn off his head we were able to identify the stag in amongst burgen. After a few minutes he browsed into the opening and started to fed on the pick, it was then we knew he was our target for the day. A well placed shot saw him down on the spot. We were super stoked in what we had achieved. We were able to identify his movements and negotiate weather conditions to achieve our goal we set out for the day. A quick few blows with the knife set us up for the carry out. Juggling as much as we could we made two trips to the vehicle to carry out all his meat. It’s a mix of so many things that make Hunting such an addictive sport. For myself it’s trying to understand their movements and why they do what they do. And to bring along a mate that loves any opportunity to lay eyes on deer and take all the meat back to his family, it’s a great combination where we both have a great sense of satisfaction. Whether it’s chasing your dream stag, providing for your family or purely just the love of the wild, there’s no better thing than being out in the elements. I wish everyone luck in their next hunt and enjoy their time away fr